Retired Judge Advocates Concise Court Judgments To Prevent Public Confusion
A retired Federal High Court judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo, has emphasised the need for concise and straightforward court judgments to minimise public confusion and misinterpretation, particularly in Nigeria’s highly charged political climate.
Speaking on Tuesday at The PUNCH’s Forum, organised by the newspaper’s editorial board, Justice Taiwo, a former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, addressed concerns about the complexity of judicial rulings during a discourse themed: “Implications of Poor Implementation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 and Human Rights in Nigeria.”
Responding to a question about why some court judgments appear unclear or confusing to the public, Justice Taiwo stressed that overly lengthy and complex rulings contribute to misunderstandings. He further noted that legal professionals sometimes complicate matters through biased analysis.
“The problem of confusing judgments is bias. And when I say bias, who stands to gain and who stands to lose?” he questioned.
He urged judges to ensure that rulings are as brief and succinct as possible, emphasising that misinterpretation often comes from analysts rather than the judgments themselves.
Justice Taiwo also criticised lawyers for making cases unnecessarily technical, thereby making judicial decisions harder for the public to comprehend.
Beyond judgment clarity, Justice Taiwo also advocated for fairer bail conditions, arguing that some judges impose overly strict requirements “just to flex their muscle.”
He further condemned human rights violations by security agencies, including warrantless searches and poor investigative practices.
“What baffles me is that some policemen try to manipulate the law to suggest they can enter any property without a warrant, duly applied for, granted, and signed by a judicial officer or justice of the peace,” he said.
The retired judge also criticised the poor quality of criminal investigations in Nigeria, urging authorities to gather substantial evidence before making arrests.
He cited the U.S. prosecution of convicted fraudster Ramon Olorunwa Abbas, a.k.a. “Ray Hushpuppi,” as an example of how cases should be properly investigated before reaching court.
“The way cases are investigated in Nigeria is tasteless. You have to prove your case beyond a reasonable doubt, not with doubt,” he emphasised.
Justice Taiwo’s remarks have sparked renewed discussions on judicial reforms, legal clarity, and human rights protections within Nigeria’s justice system.
